Bypass review decision expected next week

Herefordshire Council leaders are expected to make a decision on the planned Hereford bypass and southern link road next week.

Infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington paused all work on the road schemes last August and called for a review.

The previous Conservative-run administration had plans for a new £150m road to link Rotherwas with the A49 north of the city.

The council had achieved planning permission for the southern link road which officers called the first phase of the bypass.

If constructed, the link road would connect the A49 Ross road with the A465 Abergavenny road.

However, the Conservatives only held 13 of the 29 seats they had won at the previous elections.

And a new administration formed by Independents, It’s Our County and Green Party councillors agreed to pause work on the road and commission a review.

Coun Harrington, of It’s Our County, authorised officers to scope review work for the Hereford Transport Package and South Wye Transport Package to a maximum cost of £120,000.

He is now expected to announce on January 16 what aspects of both road projects will look be looked at and outline a programme and timescale for the review.